There have been some questions about Sherri Shepherd’s comments on The View today about Christianity and Jesus predating the time of Greek philopsher Epicurus. Here is a video segment, for those of you who missed the show today.
Sherri Shepherd, The View, Christianity, Jesus, Greeks, Epicurus
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December 4th, 2007 at 1:28 pm
I may have missed some episodes, but I remember clearly two other times when Sherri made a simlar or directly related comment.
Shortly after she got hired, they got into this discussion about evolution, and Sherri found herself in the spotlight, and said -paraphrasing- “I don’t need to read anything besides the Bible”. Good thing i was sitting down when she said that, but it didn’t stop me from uttering a big old loud WTF???.
Then, not long after, we had the “Earth is flat”.
I just rolled my eyes at that one, I think.
And now, I think I’m immune.
I believe she is so hardcore in her beliefs that God is the sole reason for everything and everyone, that logic is just useless. I’m not sure you can change, actually, not change, but open someone like that’s mind to the possibility of evolution having something to do with us and the planet and nature and the whole universe.
When you dismiss dinausaurs bones and fossils as “having been put there by God ‘cos’ he’s a bit of a joker, HA!”, I don’t want to argue with you.
December 4th, 2007 at 9:44 pm
Sherrie doesn’t come across as an angry proselytizer, like the ones I know or who are in my family or extended family, so I don’t get upset at remarks like these. I get much more upset with EH’s rigid, “my way or the highway” views, especially since she uses the right-wing media’s talking points and sound bytes to express them. Sherrie on the other hand just seems to express what she feels without seeming to want the world to agree. For me, anyway, there is a world of difference in terms of how much I can tolerate watching. And outside of The View I do like her. EH is another story, and I dread the day she returns.
December 4th, 2007 at 11:02 pm
God bless Sherri for being hardcore in her beliefs, I guess. Still, her ignorance is sometimes laughable, like today. Nothing pre-dated Christianity? I actually laughed out loud. Still love her, though. She’s funny. And at least sincere, despite her ignorance.
December 4th, 2007 at 11:10 pm
I think Sherry tends to defer to God or Christianity when they are talking about something that she is uninformed about. Unfortunately, there is a LOT that she is uninformed about… and therefore she attributes a LOT of things to God. She kind of throws her hands up and says I don’t know about this, so God did it.
December 5th, 2007 at 6:32 am
” her ignorance is sometimes laughable, like today.”
LOL! so true!!!!!!!!!!
December 5th, 2007 at 8:11 am
She is just so ignorant. There is no excuse for stupidity in the age of books and the internet. I think the producers put Sherri in there just to make the former bug-eating EH look like a genius. There are so many INTELLIGENT, “down to earth” and funny women out there who could have easily stepped into the job it boggles the mind why she was chosen. It’s cruel that viewers have to be subjected to someone who can only talk about Jesus Christ, wigs, boobs, sharing a bed/bathing with her son, and infidelity as the only relevant topics in her life. It is like watching some remedial learning lesson with this one. Sickening. The NY Post is all over it again. She has stepped into the wrong format- she needs to just stick to Comic View on BET.
December 5th, 2007 at 8:28 am
I don’t think Sherri needs to be fired at all. Give her a break.
I know that Christianity is a tough religion to voice your beliefs publicly because there are non-Christians who may assume that you’re automatically going to be completely close-minded because of your faith. So I would expect ANY Christian person on The View’s panel to take the heat in one way or another! Not surprising…that’s expected.
Apparently Joy cleared up misunderstanding, Sherri recognized what she said was wrong and pulled back after she tried to defend her point once again. Sometimes you meet people in life that you’ll have to correct and “school.” I think this is a natural part of any conversation. Folks of varying age levels, experiences engaging in dialogue can stand to be corrected. Whoopi and Joy being the older and more informed one on the panel seemed suiting to correct Sherri who is younger.
Now if I had to ever rely on “The View” being a really serious political debate show than I would demand a network transfer from daytime television ABC to a network like CNN or MSNBC.
I personally don’t think Sherri’s character deserves to be attacked. She is human, entertaining, articulate and has a little cheesiness in her. That’s Sherri. I love her personality for bring a “shining” light to viewers lives because she makes people smile. She has a glow about her that I’m in awe of.
I don’t know what it is but I just personally wish nothing but the best in her growth as a person. I have no desire for wishing her any ill will, because she is human and makes mistakes.
December 5th, 2007 at 8:56 am
than = then (3rd paragraph)
December 5th, 2007 at 11:26 am
Sherri is forty. That isn’t young at all.
December 5th, 2007 at 11:40 am
“I know that Christianity is a tough religion to voice your beliefs publicly because there are non-Christians who may assume that you’re automatically going to be completely close-minded because of your faith.”
I have to disagree. Sherri isn’t being criticized for her religion, she’s being criticized for her lack of education when it comes to history.
If you asked any Muslim, they would say they feel as though they’re being unfairly labeled because of their beliefs, and that would be a valid claim.
Sherri reinforces the belief that she is closed-minded when she talks about transgenders and gays. I don’t feel that there is a “war” on Christians, we have a Christian president and they have more power than any other religious organization in the country.
It’s the religious extremist who are dangerous to our society. They would like to force their religious beliefs on others. I’m not a fan of Sherri’s, but I don’t think she should be fired.
December 5th, 2007 at 12:28 pm
“I have to disagree. Sherri isn’t being criticized for her religion, she’s being criticized for her lack of education when it comes to history.”
Well most of comments that I read on many boards appeared to me that folks were more angry at her for the beliefs she hold making her ignorant especially after she understood she was wrong when Joy cleared it up.
They even resorted to calling her names and attacking her professionally. I don’t take anything at face value from a name caller period.
It is almost like people wait in the wings for you to fail. I think generally that many people in society can be bitter and angry people. They rather talk and rip someone down rather than point out a ways someone can become a better person. So much negativity out there! She has done nothing to warrant people calling her names and being fired.
Like I said, Whoopi and Sherri are older and have more experiences and exposure to certain settings than Sherri does regardless if she is age 40.
I have never taken Sherri’s opinion really seriously. It is her view, and her way of seeing life. She seems open to learning more and changing her views about things. That’s why I’ve always liked Sherri. Not everyone has the same life experiences to state a completely coherent view that you might want to hear.
December 5th, 2007 at 12:30 pm
I agree with Peaches in her comment. It never appeared to me that Sherri had a view that is “my way or the highway.”
December 5th, 2007 at 12:40 pm
Yes, Ken I realize she has different life experiences. We all do. I was just simply pointing out that she isn’t young as indicated in a previous post.
The tone of your posts when you are defending Sherri sound just as condescending as others who are purposely putting her down.
December 5th, 2007 at 12:44 pm
I don’t know if I made myself clear. What I meant to say is that when I read your posts it sounds like you are being condescending towards Sherri.
December 5th, 2007 at 12:45 pm
For the record, I don’t think she should be fired. This show is called The View and she represents a good number of Americans.
December 5th, 2007 at 12:46 pm
New Linda,
Well I am sorry that you have to take my posts out of context…especially by equating whatever I said to people putting Sherri down through name calling. I will not even go there with you.
December 5th, 2007 at 12:47 pm
Ken, you make a lot of good points.
However, I don’t find Sherri to be talk-show material. Well, not that type of talk-show anyway; I could actually see her doing good on a lighter type of talk-show, something like Live, for instance, where there is a lot of ad-libbing going on, but where they stick mostly to pop-culture and celeb gossip.
To me, being a panelist on a show like the View, where opinions on all kinds of topics, ranging from current affairs to fluff are exchanged back and forth daily, implies a minimal knowledge of what’s going on in the world.
Sherri has been on the panel for about 4 months now, and I don’t get the feeling that she is trying to get more informed about current affairs, and I suspect her reasons to be simply because she is not all that interested in that stuff.
Which is fair enough, IMO. But on show like the View, I find she comes short.
I wouldn’t say it’s entirely her fault though, and sorry, if I’m gonna sound harsh here, I don’t think she should be fired, because she hasn’t said or done anything reprehensible, and I think TPTB knew full well, when they took her on, what type of person they would have to deal with.
What I think, is that she should not have been hired in the first place. They already had two comedians on the panel; between Babs’ obsession for celebs and Bitsy’ obsession with the Bachelor and Idol, they had two panelists who could deal with the fluff, so what I find to be missing is a cool-headed panelist, with, say, a journalistic background, someone along the lines of, say, Jacque Reid.
December 5th, 2007 at 12:50 pm
I didn’t take your #7 post out of context. I understand your intention very well. I realize you didn’t mean to sound condescending.
December 5th, 2007 at 1:16 pm
Ken,
What would you call a grown woman who doesn’t know the earth is round? That is ignorance to me. I’m not a fan, and I don’t think she should be fired. I understand she has her beliefs that’s all fine and good, but she should have known that the world is round.
Lets not make this into Sherri is a victim, people expect more out of someone sitting on a panel on national TV.
I don’t think it’s asking too much to have her read a little history. Her views are her views but I don’t think her views are harmless, ask any gay or lesbian person
who has been discriminated against, because people think they chose to be gay.
December 5th, 2007 at 1:20 pm
“Her views are her views but I don’t think her views are harmless”
I agree.
December 5th, 2007 at 1:30 pm
Rachel, I totally understand what you mean. You made excellent points.
I really like Jacque Reid too, she is bright. But sometimes being entertaining is very important for television too. I can see an entertaining element in all of the current co-host of the view. That’s right even EH and Babs!
I’m not sure if I could say the same thing about Jacque, not saying that she shouldn’t have been hired. Because I’m a strong proponent of highly intelligent black women on TV but I’m not sure if she has a silly element. LOL
I personally love Sherri for some of the silly humor in there sometimes, that is fun and loopy. Whoopi and Joy’s humor isn’t on the same level of funniness as Sherri. Sometimes I feel a need for a good silly laugh, life is so tense. Sherri has that loopiness. So I think she was hired for just that!
I think the current events is covered to a significant extent already on the show. That is the framework of “The View.” I think I would prefer my local news for the headlines.
Laughing is linked to many health benefits. I say the more laughing the merrier I think Sherri has that personality that just makes you say, “Oh no…you didn’t girlfriend” and just makes you want to cry with laughter. And I think she has the right to state her view like any other person does.
December 5th, 2007 at 1:35 pm
“What I think, is that she should not have been hired in the first place. They already had two comedians on the panel.”
I agree. I also agree that Jacque Reid would have been a good choice.
December 5th, 2007 at 1:40 pm
Ken, stating your view and passing off false info are two different things. I don’t believe people were disgusted and alarmed because she is Christian, I think people had a strong reaction to the ignorance she displayed yesterday.
Making people laugh is all well and good. But when discussing serious issues you’d better be armed with facts or keep your mouth closed.
And if you display ignorance time and time again, people start laughing AT you instead of WITH you.
December 5th, 2007 at 2:04 pm
I have to absolutely agree with Ken, and just about “all” of his comments concerning Sherri.
I happen to like Sherri,..but that isn’t necessarily why I am not going to put her down.
We all make mistakes, we all have things we don’t know as much about as we should. I sure do.
I just don’t feel that it was that big of a deal. Ken said just about everything I would say, so no use adding any more.
December 5th, 2007 at 2:07 pm
Stacee,
“But when discussing serious issues you’d better be armed with facts or keep your mouth closed.
And if you display ignorance time and time again, people start laughing AT you instead of WITH you.”
Stacee,
You have a point.
However, if she did have some knowledge and quoting biblical scripture and say that is what she follows in life. Judging on her plus size appearance alone they would still call her ignorant. So I don’t think it would make any REAL difference.
Every past and current Christian panelists that appeared as host of “The View” one way or the other has gotten flack.
December 5th, 2007 at 2:11 pm
I’m not sure where Ken read things that inferred some people where discussted and alarmed about Sherri’s religion,…but he did say he got that “impression” on some other boards.
So I don’t believe it is fair to say that he is passing on false information. Since that was his impression.
December 5th, 2007 at 2:21 pm
Sandy,
It doesn’t seem to me that Sherri believes she made a mistake. That’s why the posts defending her are condescending. They have a “she didn’t know and now she does or she doesn’t know but with more exposure she will or she just doesn’t know any better” tone. That is so patronizing.
December 5th, 2007 at 2:23 pm
I do believe it might be a fair assessment that “some” people are discussted with Sherri concerning her religion.
When I think back about the times people have complained about her ignorance, for the most part, it had to do with religious comments. Evolution, ..they were talking about religion when she made the comment about not knowing if the world was flat,.and this comment. They/She might be wrong, but she was defending her religious views.
December 5th, 2007 at 2:27 pm
Anyone who goes on the show and is extreme in their beliefs, whether it be political or religious, get some flack. It’s not only Christians.
December 5th, 2007 at 2:29 pm
Sandy, it may be a fine line but it’s her interpretation of her religion, not her religion.
December 5th, 2007 at 2:46 pm
“Sherri is forty. That isn’t young at all”
HEY, speak for yourself!!
December 5th, 2007 at 2:48 pm
“However, if she did have some knowledge and quoting biblical scripture and say that is what she follows in life.’
Ken I’m not sure of what your point is here.
“Every past and current Christian panelists that appeared as host of “The View” one way or the other has gotten flack.”
So are YOU Ken making this a Christian issue here?
It seems like most of the hosts get flack. Debbie did (for her ditzyness). Star did (for being the wedding prima donna). Joy does for her Bush bashing. EH for her shrillness and orange tan (among lots of other things) Need I bring up Rosie and the things she was bashed for nightly? Then Whoopi for the Vick comment. Barb gets bashed too.
Sherri is not in a bubble. She is in the public eye and if she says something funny we get a good laugh. Alternately if she says something odd or dumb she will get called on it. It’s the nature of the biz. Like she reads and discusses what celebs/public figures say and do, so will we.
December 5th, 2007 at 2:52 pm
Ken,
Please get off the she’s being bashed because she’s Christian…Give me a break! Star Jones would speak about her faith also, some didn’t like her because of her attitude. It has nothing to do with her religion. Does anyone know what religion Joy, Whoopi, BW, Rosie and all of the other past hosts religious affiliation is?
December 5th, 2007 at 2:53 pm
Stacee,
I agree.
December 5th, 2007 at 3:00 pm
Damn! I forgot there is a war against Christians, don’t you guys watch Faux News. Can someone tell me which religious group has the most political influence?
December 5th, 2007 at 3:17 pm
Stacee, #32
I do see your points.
You are absolutely right, all of the host do get some flack at different times.
Thanks for that comment. It helped me…
December 5th, 2007 at 4:35 pm
“Ken I’m not sure of what your point is here.”
Stacee,
I meant that Sherri could be quoting directly from scripture without using it in a defensive manner and people will still say she is ignorant.
Well whatever my or anyone’s opinions are.
I personally still like Sherri even after a blunder and I continue to wish her the best.
December 5th, 2007 at 4:55 pm
I dont think finding Sherry not properly educated is name calling. She does seem to read newspapers, watch evening news or even have a party affiliation. Now on the other hand.. prior to her joining the view.. I LOVED HER on the sitcoms she was on and would watch mainly for her sassyness. I love her as an entertainer and on the view.. I was hysterical with her interaction with Martha Stewart. Other than that, I am not sure what she does bring to the view for hot topics. Religion is her answer for everything and even on that subject she is not that knowledgable. Now I am a catholic and am not bashing religion at all so thats not my issue and i dont think anyones issue here on this particular blog. What happens in other blogs is out of our control. A blog owner normally manages any off color comments and provides rules for posting and if not, again its not our problem.
I also dont think that Joy cleared up the matter for her. I realy believe that Sherry believes that nothing does predate jesus. Muslims believe that as well for their prophet.
Like I said, I am catholic and not offended by her religion or any. Sherry is not like EH where her way is the highway shtick.. but in a way.. Sherry does preach alot and people maybe offended by her scripture quoting. That may be bringing her the flack. She preaches abstinence prior to marriage but its not something she did herself. She may be bringing this upon herself.
I wanna know how i can replace her since I live outside of NY. I can commute..
Hey!! I agree with Ellyn!!! 40 is not old..!!!! ( or above)
December 5th, 2007 at 5:42 pm
“I realy believe that Sherry believes that nothing does predate jesus. Muslims believe that as well for their prophet.”
Can you clarify that, what do Muslims believe?
December 5th, 2007 at 5:53 pm
Oh yeah, forty is supposed to be the new twenty. NOT.
I tease. Of course forty isn’t old. It’s just oldish.
December 5th, 2007 at 8:38 pm
As a muslim I can tell you we know that people and times exsited before the profet like jesus and moses for example. similiar to what sherri might have been trying to say God has always been try to express monotheism ie islam in my case and chrisanity in hers
December 5th, 2007 at 8:40 pm
sorry i can not type god has been trying to spread monthesism and we understand Jesus and Moses came first
December 6th, 2007 at 1:39 pm
she is a fat stupid cow.
December 6th, 2007 at 3:03 pm
“Beef Eater Says:
she is a fat stupid cow.”
Ummm, okay.
That comment was an amazing contributon.
December 6th, 2007 at 5:24 pm
Comments like the one Sherri made today, coupled with EH…That’s why I don’t watch anymore. I read this blog…and it reinforces my decision daily. Without the intelligence of cohosts like Meredith, Star and Lisa….all discussions lack what I used to enjoy. Poor Joy. And I love Whoopi but I beleive she is out of her elelment and afraid to use her humor.
December 6th, 2007 at 5:24 pm
Whoops! Element is what I meant to type.
December 6th, 2007 at 9:03 pm
“and afraid to use her humor”
I’m am soooooooooooooo with you on this.